THE BEST MAN
US, 1964, 104 minutes, Black and white.
Henry Fonda, Cliff Robertson, Edie Adams, Margaret Leighton, Shelley Berman, Lee Tracey, Ann Sothern.
Directed by Franklin Schaffner.
The Best Man was quite topical when it was released in 1964. The atmosphere of the 1960 elections for the American president where John F. Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon was still in the public's memory. This had been enhanced by the tragedy of 1963 and Kennedy's death and the subsequent taking of office by Lyndon Johnson. Then there was the election in which Johnson beat Goldwater in 1964. At that time there was speculation about conspiracies, especially about the assassination of Kennedy.
This film, serious and satirical at the same time, echoes some of these American preoccupations- The pungent tone can be attributed to the origins of the film in the work of Gore Vidal. A satirist and an observer of things American, he is best known on the popular front as the author of Myra Breckenridge. Thematically The Best Man can be linked with Advise and Consent which had been released two years earlier. The Best Man is a very good film about American politics, the atmosphere of the American public and its attitude towards its politicians, the precarious nature of public popularity and blackmail. Direction was by Franklin Schaffner who was to go on to make The Planet of the Apes, Patton, Nicholas and Alexandra, Papillon, Islands in the Stream.
1. The significance of the title and 'may the best man win? Its irony and the irony of the whole film? The wit and irony and observation in the film?
2. How enjoyable was the film as comedy and as dram? How shrewd was the observation of politics and personal behaviour? How deep the exploration of these themes?
3. How good was the film as a political film? America in the 60s and now? The role and status of the presidency? The need for integrity in politics? The background of the campaigns and the ballyhoo? The artificiality, the propaganda machine and its victims? Factions, groupings, interests? How can people support such machines as this and be supported by them? The details of the paraphernalia even to the extent of Mahalia Jackson singing? How incisive was the observation on the American political situation?
4. Comment on the success of cinema techniques for communicating? The news style photography, the TV coverage, the highpoints of political rallies, the details of the groupings, the continual flow of figures?
5. How well did the film focus on the political struggle at its centre? How did this give meaning and bite to the film? The exploration of loyalty and support? The drama of the President's support of each candidate? Audience sympathy for Russell and against Cantwell? The slow intellectual approach versus the shallow pragmatic approach? Which is better for the American presidency? The details of the ploys and tactics used and to be used? The interplay of tactics and personalities? The morality of decisions and tactics? How well did the solution cover the dilemmas raised in the film? what is audience reaction to such manipulation and manoeuvring?
6. How interesting was the character of Russell? Henry Fonda's style and authority? The convincing intellectual approach, the use of wit and words? His personal integrity? His relationship with his wife and its colouring the campaign? His emotional stability, the background of his mental illness? Did this mean he was fit or unfit to be president? The support of Jensen and the power machine? The contrast with Cantwell and his interactions with him? The relationship of ambitions and principles? His reaction to Bascombe? To Mrs. Gamadge? The dignity of his stepping down and its effect on politics, its effect on him and his marriage? Was he the best man?
7. How well was the character of Cantwell explored? His unscrupulous approach, pragmatic, his ignorance of his self-image, his abrasive personality yet confidence? His behaviour in his family, his reaction to his wife and brother? His willingness to use dirty methods? The end justifying the means? His sneering at Russell's methods? His reaction to Bascombe and shrewd manipulation of this? Did he deserve to lose?
8. How important was the role of the president in this film? The human interest in a dying president? His shrewdness in summing up the two men? His withholding his backing? The way that he handled each of them?
9. The importance of Alice Russell in the film? Margaret Leighton's style? The acid approach, her support, her reaction in the crisis? The finale and the future? How was she made to contrast with Mabel Cantwell? Mabel's ambition, glamour, younger? The quality of Mabel's support for her husband?
10. How interesting was the portrayal of Jensen and the party machine? The details of their manoeuvres? The picture of the supporters? The sadness at the end of the campaign and the stepping down of Russell?
11. The importance of Mrs Gamadge and the satire on this kind of political follower-on?
12. Comment on the film's use of words.. discussions, the implications, the power of shrewdness? The themes of intrigue, power, pressures? What insight into man and his drives and the effects of these drives did the film give? As a just comment on American politics and society?
